Our society has long overlooked the housing needs of formerly incarcerated individuals. Access to stable housing for these individuals is vital in reducing recidivism rates and fostering community reintegration. This petition seeks to change legislative barriers that prevent individuals with criminal records from accessing publicly-assisted housing. We ask our lawmakers to work towards the removal of laws that unfairly discriminate against ex-offenders and to build more supportive and public housing. This will not only create a more equitable society but will also lessen crime rates in our community. One of the key steps towards true second chances starts with a home. Please sign this petition and urge our lawmakers to make this crucial change.

Join us in demanding the following changes:

Create a citywide Housing First Program for justice-involved individuals. The program should prioritize direct housing placement immediately upon release, with services to support mental and behavioral health needs. Responsible Party: NYC Department of Social Services and Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice

Expand access to public housing for reentry individuals. Prohibit blanket bans and require individualized assessments. Responsible Party: NYCHA and New York City Council Mandate a percentage of all newly developed PSH units for individuals exiting incarceration, especially those with mental health needs. Require service providers coordinate with correctional and homeless services for placement. Responsible Party: NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Create a diversion and housing program for justice-involved individuals with mental illness that diverts them into community-based supportive housing, rather than incarceration. Responsible Party:NYC Health + Hospitals and Mayor’s Of ice of Criminal Justice

Work with HUD to increase availability of Housing Choice Vouchers for returning citizens and prioritize justice-involved individuals for vouchers. Responsible Party: NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Require coordinated discharge planning across the Department of Corrections, Department of Social Services, Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, and housing providers at least 90 days
before release to ensure housing continuity and service connection. Responsible Party: Department of Corrections, Department of Social Services, Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

Launch a Citywide anti-housing discrimination campaign to address housing discrimination against individuals with criminal records, including undercover testing, fines, and tenant rights training. Responsible Party: NYC Commission on Human Rights

Allocate funding for reentry housing programs in the City budget, including investments for PSH development and rental assistance. Responsible Party: NYC Mayor and City Council Finance Committee